May 19, 2020
Mark 11:15-17
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
New International Version (NIV)
“Church is a business!”  Have you ever heard that?  I think I know what that means.  Churches bear many similarities to businesses.  The churches I have served have budgets, receive money, pay bills and hire employees.  But churches must also differentiate ourselves from businesses.  Our work is not ultimately to make a financial profit.  This means a church may be very faithful to the gospel in making disciples of Jesus but not “successful” financially like a business.

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he noticed in the court of the Gentiles that some were buying and selling doves and animals to make sacrifices.  This court had been built as a place for the outsiders to get closer to God.  People like the Ethiopian eunuch would have come there to worship.  But the businessmen of the day saw it as an opportunity to make a great profit.  So what, if it involved taking away the Gentile space to come and call upon God?  No  matter.  People needed to make a living and the temple gave them an opportunity.

This practice evoked a surprising response from Jesus.  He gave these businessmen the business!  Did we see that Jesus overturned the tables and benches and would not allow them to carry merchandise through the temple courts?  Why?  Was Jesus against them making a living?  Did he oppose commerce?  No.  But he knew that the area they occupied was supposed to be a place of prayer, not of profit.  In his explanation for his actions Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7 to remind the people God wanted relationship with all people.  God’s house was supposed to be a place of prayer. 

When Solomon dedicated the original temple, he envisioned people from all over the world coming there to pray (2 Chronicles 7:32-33).  In Jeremiah’s day the people stole from each other, but trusted that if they went up to the temple they were safe to do detestable things.  “Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?  But I have been watching! declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 7:9-11).  By clearing the temple, Jesus opened the door wide for the Gentiles to draw near.  Later that week, when he was crucified, the veil between the holy of holies and the rest of the temple was torn in two.  Through the cross God opened the door for all to come into right relationship with himself.  Later that same day as Jesus taught about prayer, he pointed out, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (11:25). 

Of course the church buildings should still be places of prayer for all people to come.  But the temple of God today is not the same thing as the church buildings.  We Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  God lives in us.  Is there anything in us that desecrates the body of Christ?  Have we become comfortable with anything that makes it harder for us and others to draw near to God?  At a minimum, this season of quarantine invites us to a deep humility and self-examination.  Ask God if there is anything between your soul and the Savior today.  How about a broken relationship with another person who needs to know God’s love?  Make it right now.  This is God’s business!

Pray the lyrics to a song with me:         
“Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.  And with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”  Father, free us from the fear of the foreigner in our gates.  Make your church a people of prayer for all the nations.  Lord bring the suffering nations to yourself as we live and proclaim the good news of your forgiveness.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.        
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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